Charles Stephen Foster

PURPOSE: Conjunctival fibrosis due to excessive accumulation of collagens is an important histologic feature in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). Studies have suggested a role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in conjunctival fibrosis in patients with OCP. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is an important downstream mediator of TGF-beta1-induced collagen synthesis. CTGF usually acts synergistically with TGF-beta1 during the process of fibrosis in various organs. Hence, ...

PURPOSE: Submucosal fibrosis due to excessive accumulation of collagens is an important histologic feature in the pathogenesis of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), a collagen-binding protein, plays an important role in the biosynthesis of procollagens. In the present study, we examined the role of HSP47 in conjunctival scarring in patients with OCP.

METHODS: Biopsy specimens of the conjunctiva of 15 patients with OCP and 5 normal subjects were studied ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the fluocinolone acetonide (Retisert) implant compared with the dexamethasone (Ozurdex) implant in patients with noninfectious uveitis.

DESIGN: Comparative case series.

STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven eyes received either the fluocinolone acetonide (FA) (n=16) or dexamethasone (n=11) implant.

METHODS: Chart review of patients at the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) was done and patients were selected and matched ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, ocular complications, and disease associations of patients with scleritis and episcleritis; as well as to delineate the risk factors for decreased vision in patients with scleritis.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred patients with scleritis and 85 patients with episcleritis.

METHODS: The electronic health records of 500 patients with scleritis and 85 patients with episcleritis seen at 2 ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in tears of patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).

DESIGN: Prospective, noninterventional cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS: Four SJS patients (7 eyes), 19 OCP patients (37 eyes), and 20 healthy controls who underwent phacoemulsification (40 eyes).

METHODS: Tear washes were collected from all patients ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for the management of glaucoma associated with chronic uveitis.

DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen patients (21 eyes) with chronic uveitis underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for uncontrolled glaucoma between 1995 and 1998.

INTERVENTION: All patients had their uveitis controlled before surgery via immunomodulatory therapy. Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of treatment with mycophenolate mofetil in patients with scleritis and uveitis refractory to or intolerant of methotrexate.

DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-five patients with scleritis and/or uveitis who failed with or did not tolerate methotrexate and were subsequently treated with mycophenolate mofetil between 1998 and 2006.

METHODS: We reviewed medical records of patients who were treated with mycophenolate ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 doses of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) for treatment of noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis.

METHODS: In this 26-week trial, eyes with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis were randomized to a single treatment with a 0.7-mg DEX implant (n = 77), 0.35-mg DEX implant (n = 76), or sham procedure (n = 76).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was the proportion of eyes with a vitreous haze ...

PURPOSE: Two multicenter studies compared the efficacy and safety of rimexolone 1% ophthalmic suspension (Vexol 1%, Alcon) and 1% prednisolone acetate (Pred Forte, Allergan).

METHODS: Patients with acute uveitis, recurrent iridocyclitis, or chronic uveitis treatable by topical corticosteroid were enrolled. Treatment regimen was one or two drops every hour during Week 1, every two hours during Week 2, four times a day during Week 3, and once a day for the last three days. Efficacy and ...

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is elaborated by the T helper 17 (T(H)17) subset of T(H) cells and exhibits potent proinflammatory properties in animal models of autoimmunity, including collagen-induced arthritis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and experimental autoimmune uveitis. To determine whether IL-17A mediates human inflammatory diseases, we investigated the efficacy and safety of AIN457, a human antibody to IL-17A, in patients with psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ...

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to restore visual acuity in patients with cataract and posterior segment involvement secondary to chronic uveitis.

SETTING: Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

METHODS: This study comprised 34 patients (20 women, 14 men; 36 eyes) with posterior segment involvement secondary to chronic uveitis who had ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of treatment with methotrexate for noninfectious ocular inflammation.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients with noninfectious ocular inflammation managed at 4 tertiary ocular inflammation clinics in the United States observed to add methotrexate as a single, noncorticosteroid immunosuppressive agent to their treatment regimen, between 1979 and 2007, inclusive.

METHODS: Participants were identified from the Systemic Immunosuppressive ...

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a chronic, uncommon, sub-epidermal blistering disease involving the skin and mucous membranes that heals with scar formation and milia. Collagens, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are important components that play an essential role(s) in matrix remodeling during scar formation. However, the possible involvement of these components in EBA-induced scarring is not yet known. In the present study, ...